Ethiopia will plant 4 billion trees to combat deforestation which, in recent decades, has decimated the plant population of the African state. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, explaining that about 40 trees will be planted for each inhabitant
In Ethiopia will 4 billion trees planted to counter the deforestation which, in recent decades, has decimated the plant population of the African state. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, explaining that about 40 trees will be planted for each inhabitant.
Not a little if we consider that Ethiopia has a population of over 105 million inhabitants, the most populous African state after Nigeria.
The initiative born within the national green development program will start shortly, during the rainy season even if the prime minister has already inaugurated it by planting the first tree. It is an ambitious effort to improve the rural landscape. Tree cover has decreased from 35% in the early 13th century to XNUMX% today.
"In recent years, Ethiopia's forest cover has decreased and the initiative calls for the mobilization of national reforestation to 40 trees per capita," the prime minister said in a post on social media.
Ethiopia has particularly suffered from the negative impact of climate changes, mainly due to the severe drought which has affected some parts of the country.
But the cause of Ethiopia's decline in tree cover is related to deforestation to achieve combustion wood and the intensive exploitation of pastures for livestock, among the main problems that the country has to face.
Ethiopia is considered to be one of the fastest growing economies in the world, but the rapid expansion of the agriculture, construction and services sectors have negatively impacted its natural environment. In 2017, over 2 million animals died in Ethiopia due to the lack of rain.
With 70 million grazing animals and nearly 9 out of 10 households still relying on wood for fuel, the pressure on land and forests is set to increase.
Ethiopia is not the only state to have these problems: every year Africa loses forest cover equivalent to the entire surface of Switzerland. Globally, deforestation accounts for at least one fifth of all carbon emissions.
Hence the need according to the Ethiopian authorities to immediately run for cover. The prime minister himself kicked off the initiative by planting the first tree e explaining that this will help
"Transforming our degraded environments into healthy living and functional ecosystems".
plant 4 billion trees you will need the help of thousands of volunteers. The ministry of agriculture estimates that a cost of 548 million dollars (about 490 million euros) will have to be incurred.
In addition to creating forests and tree-lined roads, the authorities plan to eliminate exotic species such as theeucalyptus, imported from Australia since 1890 because it is able to grow rapidly by supplying fuel and building materials. On the other hand, however, it requires a lot of water. In its place, more space will be given to native plants.
An important initiative, which we hope will also be replicated in other countries.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has officially launched a 4 billion tree planting program.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially launches the national 4billion trees initiative by planting a seedling.#PMOEthiopia pic.twitter.com/fsIO3xbqU8
— Office of the Prime Minister – Ethiopia (@PMEthiopia) 26 May
READ also:
- The great green wall: 8 thousand km of trees to save Africa
- Trees will save the world: planting a billion of them can eliminate C02 emissions by 10 years
- The Philippines passes legislation requiring students to plant 10 trees if they want to graduate
Francesca Mancuso
